A NICE INDIAN BOY

A Nice Indian Boy is a beautiful and genuine portrait of love, family and acceptance, wrapped up in a charming romantic comedy that will have audiences laughing, smiling and maybe even shedding the odd tear of joy.

Bringing home a new partner to meet the family is a nerve wracking event for anyone in love, and a timeless hallmark of the romantic comedy genre that we have seen playout time and time again. So what makes A Nice Indian Boy stand out? Well, how many films have you seen this situation play out when it is a gay Indian man bringing home his white boyfriend to meet his traditional Indian parents? It’s not something that you see often in the romantic comedy genre, but director Roshan Sethi and screenwriter Eric Randall work wonders with this premise in an endlessly charming and emotionally stirring romantic comedy. Playing with the beloved tropes of the genre and mixing them with cultural exploration and a beautiful story of acceptance, Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff shine on screen together and make A Nice Indian Boy a splendid addition to the romantic comedy genre.

In a day where romantic comedies lean heavily into big and sometimes raunchy laughs, it’s endearing to find one that follows in the footsteps of more tender classics of the genre like When Harry Met Sally, Notting Hill and My Best Friend’s Wedding. From the charming meet cute, meddling yet caring family members who want nothing but the best for Naveen that lead to some great laughter, and unresolved hesitations for Naveen that have him afraid to fully commit to Jay, its textbook romantic comedy from start to finish full of the genre’s signature moments: Groff doing karaoke, the grand romantic gesture to win back the love of his life, and even a charming Indian wedding. It’s all done with a tenderness and sweetness that allows the romance between Naveen and Jay to blossom in every scene of the film, creating the touching gay romantic comedy that audiences need right now.

While A Nice Indian Boy is unequivocally a romantic comedy, it is also a story about acceptance in many different forms. One on hand, and the more obvious one, is Naveen’s parents coming to terms with Naveen’s sexuality and truly accepting him and his love for Jay. Despite being overly supportive, watching gay centric television and movies and being open with their son about this, there was always a part of them that never truly accepted what Naveen being gay meant, and they’re forced to come to terms with this over the course of the film. With this storyline, there is great emphasis on cultural norms of being an Indian and the expectations of the traditional parents on their children, playing into Naveen and Arundhathi characters’ arcs over the course of the film, but fueling the internal dilemma within their parents as they cannot write Jay off for being white due to being raised by Indian parents. At the same time as this acceptance by Naveen’s parents, Naveen has to accept his true self and his true feelings for Jay, to truly love himself and set himself free from his own insecurities that have influenced all his relationships. It’s all beautifully written by Randall, in adapting the play by Madhuri Shekar, who weaves these two distinct storylines of acceptance together to create an experience that is not only heartfelt, but has something beautiful to say about family and love that is a universal message for all viewers.

A good romantic comedy is only as successful as its lead romantic pairing, and Soni and Groff bring their fireworks as Naveen and Jay. From the instant their characters cross paths at the temple, there is an undeniable passion between Naveen and Jay that speaks to their characters’ connection on a deeper level. It grows with each scene as Soni and Groff share a deep understanding and care for each other, fueling the passionate and classic romantic comedy romance between Naveen and Jay that will have audiences’ hearts overflowing with joy, feeling the rollercoaster of emotions as Naveen and Jay fight for their relationship, and beaming ear to ear by the time the film’s happy ending plays out in a delightful scene. And not only that, but Soni and Groff make for a truly spectacular gay couple, pulling from their own lives as gay men and informing their characters with their lived experiences to give a truly authentic portrayal. Never missing a beat or failing to steal the show, the supporting cast of Sunita Mani, Zarna Garg and Harish Patel all give winning performances that round out A Nice Indian Boy in every way imaginable, supporting Soni and Groff to create a truly great small cast for this independent romantic comedy.

Joining recent hit films like Anyone But You, Palm Springs and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, A Nice Indian Boy once again proves the power of the romantic comedy genre. From the magnificent pairing of Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff in the lead roles who effortlessly bring to life the film’s central romance, to the endearing story of love, family and acceptance that is certain to tug on the heart strings and entertain audiences throughout, A Nice Indian boy is a winner across the board. Packing laughter, cultural discussions and a timeless romantic comedy feeling that calls back to some of the genre’s most beloved titles thanks to the romantic sparks flying between Karan Soni and Jonathan Groff, A Nice Indian Boy never for a second fails to confirm that romantic comedies have never been more back!